5 wellness trends set to flourish in 2022
BLOG BY REBEKAH. C
Let's discuss why they're worth exploring
If the last couple of years has proven something to most of us, it's that we need to spend more time looking after ourselves. “Self-care” has become a growing trend for communities all around the globe – particularly since the pandemic, [1] and we’re constantly discovering new ways to look after ourselves. With the arrival of a new year comes endless opportunities to revitalise your wellness routine and enhance your wellbeing. You don’t need a New Year’s Resolution to get started either. Experimenting with wellness is something you can do without pressure, at your own pace.
#1 Mood diaries
Keeping track of the things you do in your day-to-day life is an excellent way to practice mindfulness. You can journal your way towards a brighter future, or track your alcohol intake to create a more positive relationship with certain vices. With a mood diary, the focus is on keeping track of your good and bad emotions as they happen. Crucially, the focus here isn’t on judging how many bad days you have, or how often you feel anxious. Instead, it’s about recognising the emotions you have and looking at the bigger picture, you can even pinpoint which activities and events prompt certain moods. A mood diary can even help you to determine whether it might be time to speak to your doctor, seek out a new source of therapy, or change triggering elements of your routine. To keep your own mood diary, simply make a habit of noting how you feel at various points during each day.
#2 Improving gut health
A surprisingly large number of immune system issues and health problems start with the gut. Many of us are beginning to recognise just how important the gut is to how we feel, which might be why there was an 83% surge in searches for “gut health” in the last year [2]. Looking after your gut can involve everything from removing anything which might disrupt your digestive balance, like certain fast foods and sugars, to taking more regular probiotics. One of the most common ways to manage gut health is to update your diet. Something as simple as switching processed foods for more whole foods, fruits and vegetables can make a huge difference to your gut. Not only will improving your gut health make you feel better physically, but it can help to improve your mental health too, thanks to the gut-brain connection. The better your gut works, the less likely you are to experience issues of depression, stress, and anxiety.
#1 Mood diaries
Keeping track of the things you do in your day-to-day life is an excellent way to practice mindfulness. You can journal your way towards a brighter future, or track your alcohol intake to create a more positive relationship with certain vices. With a mood diary, the focus is on keeping track of your good and bad emotions as they happen. Crucially, the focus here isn’t on judging how many bad days you have, or how often you feel anxious. Instead, it’s about recognising the emotions you have and looking at the bigger picture, you can even pinpoint which activities and events prompt certain moods. A mood diary can even help you to determine whether it might be time to speak to your doctor, seek out a new source of therapy, or change triggering elements of your routine. To keep your own mood diary, simply make a habit of noting how you feel at various points during each day.
#2 Improving gut health
A surprisingly large number of immune system issues and health problems start with the gut. Many of us are beginning to recognise just how important the gut is to how we feel, which might be why there was an 83% surge in searches for “gut health” in the last year [2]. Looking after your gut can involve everything from removing anything which might disrupt your digestive balance, like certain fast foods and sugars, to taking more regular probiotics. One of the most common ways to manage gut health is to update your diet. Something as simple as switching processed foods for more whole foods, fruits and vegetables can make a huge difference to your gut. Not only will improving your gut health make you feel better physically, but it can help to improve your mental health too, thanks to the gut-brain connection. The better your gut works, the less likely you are to experience issues of depression, stress, and anxiety.
#3 Incorporating mindfulness into exercise
Mindfulness is one of the most significant overarching trends in the wellness landscape for 2022. With mindfulness, you pay closer attention to the individual experience of every moment you encounter. Mindfulness in exercise is an exciting new trend, and one definitely worth considering if you’re planning on working out more in the new year. Research shows [3] combining mindfulness with exercise can significantly improve your exercise routines, boosting endurance, and lowering your risk of depression. While exercise helps to boost your mood and relieve stress, mindfulness helps you to remain aware of your own physical boundaries, and your abilities. Next time you go out for a run, try to focus on paying attention to how you feel, from the impact of your feet on the floor to the smells and noises around you. Mindfulness can also help you to feel a little less stressed about the concept of new year’s resolutions. If you’re worried about pressuring yourself to achieve extreme goals in terms of physical fitness, switching to a goal of simply being “more aware” during exercise can be a lot more manageable.
#4 Tracking stress levels
Stress is a pretty significant issue lately, thanks to everything from changing workplace environments to the panic of the pandemic. For some people, the stress problem is so significant they’re beginning to feel overwhelmed or burnt out. The only way to determine whether you need help dealing with your stress is to pay attention to your stress levels.
The good news is tracking stress is easier than ever. There are apps and fitness trackers you can wear on your wrist to track heart rate and cortisol levels. You can also take note of any mental or physical symptoms of stress you’re feeling, from digestive problems like nausea to increasing heart rate. Even emotional issues like irritability or fatigue can be a sign your stress is becoming too significant. Once you notice your stress levels are rising, you can begin implementing strategies to eliminate, or at least reduce your stress. For instance, you can try exercising for a boost of endorphins, taking natural substances like CBD to reduce anxiety and/or practising your breathing or exploring yoga.
#5 Strengthening the immune system
With the pandemic still a major concern in many people’s lives, a significant focus of most wellbeing strategies will be on improving and strengthening the immune system. Variants of the COVID virus are leaving a lot of us on edge. While vaccinations and boosters are crucial, it’s helpful to work on your own natural defences too. Start by auditing your existing lifestyle, looking for anything which might be damaging your immune systems, like excessive drinking, smoking, or exposure to processed foods. Eliminating bad habits can be a crucial part of getting your immune system back on track. You can also look into taking supplements and nutrients specially designed to boost your immune system, like vitamin D. Above all else, make sure you get plenty of sleep. A good night’s sleep helps to set your body up for success in the day ahead.
Look after yourself this year
Well-being continues to be a crucial focus for many people as we head into 2022. While holding yourself to unreasonable New Year’s resolutions can cause additional stress, making the active decision to look after yourself – whatever that means for you – is helpful. Whether you’re going to be focusing on one of the wellness trends mentioned above, or you have your own goal for wellbeing this year, make your 2022 about self-care.
References
[1] https://www.gsk.com/en-gb/media/resource-centre/covid-19-prompts-increased-focus-on-self-care/
[2] https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2021/08/02/Postbiotics-see-1-300-increase-in-Google-searches
[3] https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wellbeing/a38402390/wellbeing-trends-2022/
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